Liquid-tight reciprocating floor construction

ABSTRACT

A liquid-tight reciprocating floor construction includes a plurality of slats slidable on a plurality of stationary bases, with each base supporting an individual slat. Each of the bases is unitary in construction such that liquid leaking through the points of contact between the slat and the base cannont reach the floor supporting the bases. The bases are interconnected by mating flanges, and seals adjacent the mating flanges prevent liquid from leaking through the flanges to the supporting floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to slat-type conveyors for movement of aload More particularly, the present invention pertains to a liquid-tightreciprocating floor construction for load movement.

Conveyors having interleaved slats in general are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,534,875; 4,143,760; and 4,856,645 all issued to Hallstrom; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,611,708 issued to Foster. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,534,875discloses a slat conveyor having three groups of slats, two of whichmove simultaneously in a load-conveying direction, while at the sametime, the third group moves in the opposite direction. In U.S. Pat. Nos.4,143,760 and 4,611,708, three groups of slats all move simultaneouslyin a first load conveying direction and then each individual group movessequentially in the opposite direction. U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,645 teachesa slat conveyor having a group of non-moving "dead" slats spaced betweentwo groups of slats that move simultaneously in a load conveying firstdirection and sequentially in an opposite direction. All of the aboveslat conveyors suffer from leakage of liquid containing loads throughthe spacings between the individual slats and through the supportingfloor. This leakage is extremely undesirable when toxic waste such aspesticides, paints, and other chemicals, or garbage is being conveyed.As will be readily apparent below, the liquid-tight reciprocating floorconstruction of the present invention can be employed with any of theslat reciprocation sequences of the above patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,761 discloses a discharge mechanism for dischargingparticulate loads that includes first and second stoker rods each havinga plurality of cross bars A fixed floor angle is located between each ofthe cross bars. The first and second stoker rods reciprocate lengthwise,rapidly, and, at the same time but out of phase. Again, the above patentdoes not disclose a liquid-tight floor construction, and thus suffersfrom liquid leakage.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,492,303; 4,679,686; 4,749,075; and 4,785,929 all issuedto Foster disclose various components for reciprocating floor conveyorsincluding hold-down members, bearing systems, and drive/guide systemsHowever, none of the above references teach a reciprocating floorconstruction that is liquid-tight.

A need thus exists for a reciprocating floor construction comprised of aplurality of slats slidable on a plurality of stationary liquid-tightbases. The unitary construction of the bases prevents liquid that leaksthrough the points of contact of each slat and each base from reachingthe floor supporting the bases.

The need also exists for the above liquid-tight reciprocating floorconstruction in which a plurality of bearings cause reciprocation ofeach slat on each base without compromising the integrity of the base. Aneed also exists for the above type of liquid-tight reciprocating floorconstruction in which the base can be fixedly attached to a floor memberwithout causing liquid leakage by compromising the unitary constructionof the base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a liquid-tight reciprocating floor constructionfor movement of a load, and includes a plurality of slats slidable on aplurality of stationary liquid-tight bases, with each base supporting anindividual slat. The unitary construction of the bases prevents liquidthat leaks through the points of contact of each slat and each base fromreaching the floor supporting the bases.

The bases are interconnected, preferably by either mating flanges or atongue-in-groove configuration on each base. Seals adjacent the matingflanges or the tongue-in-groove configuration prevent liquid fromleaking through these points of attachment to the supporting floor.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mating flangesor tongue-in-groove configurations are located on the side of each base,and the seals are located between the mating flanges or tongue-in-grooveconfiguration.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the side of eachbase has a top portion, and the seal is located in a channel formed ineach top portion.

In another alternate embodiment of the present invention the side ofeach base has an outer beveled edge that forms a channel when fittedagainst the outer beveled edge of another base The seal is located inthe channel so formed.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each base isfastened to a flanged floor cross-member by a bolt through the flange ofthe floor cross-member. The head of the bolt holds a lip on the exteriorpart of the side of the base against the flange of the floorcross-member. A nut on the bolt braces the bolt against the flange Theabove configuration allows attachment of the base to the floorcross-member without causing liquid leakage by compromising the unitaryconstruction of the base.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each slatreciprocates relative to each base on three groups of bearings. A sidebearing is located between each side of the slat and each side of thebase. The slat and base sides are shaped to receive these bearingsAdditionally, a central bearing is located between longitudinal bearingsupport guides on the interior of the top of the slat. This centralbearing is also supported by a central rib longitudinally bisecting thebase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will be more fully appreciatedwhen considered in light of the following specification and drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a typicalembodiment of the liquid-tight reciprocating floor construction of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of a first embodiment of the present invention ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a fragmentary portion of a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the fragmentary portion of the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a third embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 6 is an end view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a liquid-tight reciprocating floor constructionfor movement of loads by sequential slat movement with respect toliquid-tight base portions. Slat reciprocation is accomplished by motor,gearing, and linkage means known in the art, and any one of numerousslat movement sequences also known in the art can be employed. Specificreference is made to the patents described above for examples of slatdrive means and slat reciprocation sequences.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, liquid-tight reciprocating floorconstruction 2 includes slat 4 slidably mounted on base 6. Side bearings8 and central bearing 10, all preferably being substantially U-shaped,allow sliding reciprocation of slat 4 relative to base 6. Centralbearing 10 is braced between central bearing guides 12 on the interiorportion of the top of slat 4 and central rib 14 which longitudinallybisects base 6. Each side bearing 8 is held between a side 16 of slat 4and a side 18 of base 6. Side 18 of base 6 has a sloped face 20 whichfacilitates attachment of side bearing 8. Side bearing 8 includes a lip22 that engages side 18 of base 4 below sloped face 20. Side 16 of slat4 includes a longitudinal groove 24 adapted to mesh with foot 26 locatedat the end of side bearing 8. Thus, side bearing 8 secures slat 4 tobase 6 while allowing slat 4 to reciprocate relative to base 6.

The orientation of slat 4 on base 6 defines a chamber 28. Liquid from aliquid-containing load which collects on the top surface of slat 4 mayleak into chamber 28 through the points of contact of sides 16 of slat 4and side bearings 8. It is important to note, however, that, due to theunitary construction of base 6, any liquid located in chamber 28 cannotpass through base 6 and contact floor member 30. Thus, liquid-tightreciprocating floor construction 2 prevents liquid in chamber 28 or onslat 4 from exiting liquid-tight reciprocating floor construction 2 andcontaminating the external environment. It should be noted that the term"unitary" employed to define the construction of base 6 means that base6 lacks any openings or orifices which communicate with floor member 30.

Base 6 can be fixedly attached to other bases 6' and 6" by atongue-in-groove attachment construction. In this manner, numerous bases6 are employed to support numerous slats 4. In this tongue-in-grooveconstruction, the side 18 of base 6 that is adjacent base 6' has agroove 32 therein. Base 6' has a tongue 34 in its side that is orientedto mate with groove 32. On side 18 of base 6 that is adjacent base 6" ,is another tongue 34 Another groove 32 is located on the side of base 6"at an orientation to mate with the tongue 34 on side 18 of base 6. Inthis manner, base 6 can be attached to base 6' and base 6".

In order to ensure that liquid in chamber 28 does not exit base 6 at thepoints of contact of base 6 with base 6' and base 6", seal 36 isemployed Seal 36 is preferably comprised of an elastomeric or asemi-elastomeric polymer composition known in the art. Seal 36 ispreferably located between each tongue 34 and groove 32 of thetongue-in-groove constructions connecting base 6 with base 6' and base6". However, seal 36 can also be located in a channel 38 located in thetop of side 18 of base 6. Alternatively, channel 38, containing seal 36,can be located in the top of the side of base 6' and/or base 6". In yetanother embodiment of the present invention, two channels 38 containingtwo seals 36 can be formed by beveling the outer edges of each side 18of base 6 and the outer edges of the sides of base 6' and 6". In thismanner, two V-shaped channels 38 having seals 36 therein are formed.

For bases located adjacent a side wall 40 such as base 6", seals orwelds 42 are employed to prevent liquid leakage onto floor member 30. Inthe present embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, slat4, base 6 and floor member 30 are all preferably comprised of aluminumor alloys thereof. Thus base 6 is preferably attached to floor member 30(which is preferably an I-beam) by welding. Prior to welding, channellocks are employed to compress seal 36 when it is located between groove32 and tongue 34 in order to ensure a liquid-tight attachment of base 6with base 6' and with base 6".

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in which slat 4 and base 6 are preferably comprisedof aluminum or its alloys, and floor member 30 (which is preferably anI-beam) is preferably comprised of steel or the like. Due to thedifficulties associated with welding aluminum and steel, this embodimentof the present invention contemplates mechanical attachment of base 6 tofloor member 30. It is to be noted that reference numerals in FIGS. 3and 4 which are the same as reference numerals in FIGS. 1 and 2 identifycomponents common to the two embodiments.

In this second embodiment, instead of a tongue-in-groove constructionfor the attachment of base 6 with additional bases, complementary shapedflanges on adjacent bases are employed. Specifically, side 18 of base 6includes flange 44 which is preferably substantially L-shaped having anarm 46 oriented substantially downwardly. Base 6" has a complementaryflange 48 having an arm 50 oriented substantially upwardly such thatflange 44 and flange 48 mate. Note that each of the L-shaped flanges 44and 48 thus have a seat 52 in which the arm of the complementary flangeresides. Seal 36 can be located in one or both of these seats 52 inorder to ensure a liquid-tight connection.

Lips 54 on base 6 and base 6" are located adjacent the points of contactof base 6' and 6" with rib or flange 56 of the preferably I-beam shapedfloor member 30. Bolt 58 is adapted to pass through rib 56 and bracelips 54 against rib 56 of floor member 30. Retainer 60 passes over bolt58 and braces the underside of rib 56. Nut 62 is threadedly secured tobolt 58 and, when tightened, urges retainer 60 against flange 56 andtightens the contact between the head of bolt 58 and lips 54 such thatbase 6 and base 6" are securely attached to rib 56 of floor member 30and flange 44 and flange 48 compress seal 36 to ensure a liquid-tightconnection. It is to be noted that the above attachment of base 6 andbase 6" to rib 56 of floor member 30 is accomplished withoutcompromising the integrity of the unitary construction of base 6 (andbase ") in chamber 28 thus reducing the likelihood of liquid leakage.Additionally, the opening in rib 56 of floor member 30 and the spacebetween lips 54 through which bolt 58 passes are partitioned by flange44, flange 48, and seal 36 from any liquid that may have leaked intochamber 28 of base 6. Thus, leakage cannot occur between lips 54 and theopening through rib 56 of floor member 30 in which bolt 58 resides.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, third and fourth embodiments of thepresent invention are shown, respectively. The third embodiment of FIG.5 employs the tongue-in-groove construction (tongue 34 and groove 32) ofthe first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 for connecting base 6 withadditional bases. The fourth embodiment of FIG. 6 employs theinterconnecting flange construction (flange 44 and flange 48) of thesecond embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 for connecting base 6 with additionalbases. It is to be noted that the reference numerals in FIGS. 5 and 6which are the same as reference numerals in FIGS. 1 through 4 identifycommon elements.

Both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 disclose embodiments which allow modularconstruction of a slat 4 and a base 6 by the manufacturer to form adiscrete pre-assembled unit prior to acquisition by the ultimate user.Thus, the user can more conveniently assemble liquid-tight floorconstruction 2 merely by connecting the desired number of thesepre-assembled modular units comprised of slat 4 and base 6. Connectionby the user is preferably either by the tongue-in-groove constructionshown in FIG. 5 and described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2,or by the interconnecting flange construction shown in FIG. 6 anddescribed above in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4.

In contrast, the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the secondembodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 are not comprised of modular units of a slat2 and a base 4 pre-assemblable by the manufacturer. In the first twoembodiments, the ultimate user has to first interconnect all of thebases 6, 6', 6", etc., then position all of the required side bearings 8and central bearings 10, and finally attach all of the slats 4. Theabove assembly requires the implementation of jigs by the user, andforces the user to undertake additional assembly steps.

The modular unit configuration of liquid-tight floor construction 2 ofFIGS. 5 and 6 is mainly due to the use of two separate planar sidebearings 64a and 64b in place of the single u-shaped side bearing 8shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. These side bearings 64a and 64b arepreferably comprised of a high density plastic composition known in theart, as is side bearing 8 of FIGS. 1 through 4.

Unlike side bearing 8 of FIGS. 1 through 4, which snaps onto side 18 ofbase 6 and guides the reciprocation of slat 4 relative to base 6 bymeshing of foot 26 of side bearing 8 in longitudinal groove 24 of slat4, side bearings 64a and 64b of FIGS. 5 and 6 do not guide reciprocationof slat 4 on base 6. Instead, rib 66 on side 16 of slat 4 holds side 18of base 6 and bearing 64a (or 64b) in channel 68 on side 16 of slat 4 toguide reciprocation of slat 4 relative to base 6.

To assemble each modular unit comprised of a base 6 and a slat 4, theside bearings 64a, for example, are placed on side 16 of base 6 andcentral bearing 10 is placed on central rib 14. Next, slat 4 is slidablymounted over side bearings 64a and central bearing 10 on base 6 suchthat side 18 of base 6 is held in channel 68 on side 16 of slat 4 by rib66. The above modular unit can then be supplied to the ultimate uses inthe above pre-assembled configuration. To assemble a liquid-tight floorconstruction 2 of a desired size, the user then connects the requirednumber of the above pre-assembled modular units by either the abovedescribed tongue-in-groove construction or the interconnecting flangeconstruction.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in some detail hereinabove, changes and modifications may bemade in the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

I claim:
 1. A liquid-tight reciprocating floor construction comprising:aslat; a unitary base section having an exterior side, said slat slidablymounted only on said unitary base section and mounted on said exteriorside of said unitary base section, said unitary base section includingmeans adapted for attachment to another base section; and liquid sealmeans adjacent said exterior side of said unitary base section forpreventing liquid on said floor construction from passing said means forattachment of said unitary base section and another base section andsaid exterior side of said unitary base section.
 2. The construction ofclaim 1, wherein said unitary base section includes a side, said sidehaving a top portion with a channel therein, and said liquid seal meansis a gasket in said channel.
 3. The construction of claim 1, whereinsaid unitary base section includes a side, said side having an exterioredge beveled to form a channel upon attachment with another basesection, and said liquid seal means is a gasket in said channel.
 4. Theconstruction of claim 1, wherein said means adapted for attachment ofsaid unitary base section to another base section is a tonguelongitudinally disposed on said unitary base section side and is adaptedto fit with a groove on another base section.
 5. The construction ofclaim 4, wherein said liquid seal means is a gasket between said tongueand the groove.
 6. The construction of claim 1, wherein said unitarybase section includes a side and said means adapted for attachment ofsaid unitary base section to another base section is a seatlongitudinally disposed on said side and adapted to fit with a flange onanother base section.
 7. The construction of claim 6, wherein saidliquid seal means is a gasket between said seat and the flange.
 8. Theconstruction of claim 1, wherein said unitary base section includes aside and said means adapted for attachment of said unitary base sectionto another base section is a substantially L-shaped flange adapted tomate with a complementary substantially L-shaped flange on another basesection.
 9. The construction of claim 8, wherein said liquid seal meansis a gasket between said substantially L-shaped flange of said unitarybase section and the complementary substantially L-shaped flange. 10.The construction of claim 1, wherein said unitary base section includesa side, said construction further comprising:a lip on said slide; andfastening means adapted to secure said unitary base section to a floorportion having a flange, said fastening means oriented through theflange, said fastening means including an elongate member having abroadened head for placement of said lip of said unitary base sectionthereunder and against the flange, said fastening means also having aremovable retainer to be braced against the flange.
 11. A liquid-tightreciprocating floor construction comprising:an elongate slat; bearingmeans adjacent said unitary elongate slat; unitary elongate base havingan exterior side, said elongate slat mounted only on and slidablerelative to said unitary elongate base on said bearing means, saidelongate slat mounted on said exterior side of said unitary elongatebase, said unitary elongate base including an attachment flange, saidattachment flange adapted to mesh with a seat on a second unitaryelongate base; a floor supporting said unitary elongate base; and meansfor sealing said unitary elongate base located adjacent said exteriorside of said unitary elongate base such that liquid entering betweensaid elongate slat and said bearings means is prevented from passingsaid attachment flange and said exterior side of said unitary elongatebase and reaching said floor.
 12. The construction of claim 11, whereinsaid unitary elongate base includes a side, said side having a topportion with a channel therein, and said means for sealing said unitaryelongate base is a gasket in said channel.
 13. The construction of claim11, wherein said unitary elongate base includes a side, said side havingan exterior edge beveled to form a channel upon attachment with a secondunitary elongate base, and said means for sealing said unitary elongatebase is a gasket in said channel.
 14. The construction of claim 11,wherein said attachment flange is a tongue longitudinally disposed onsaid exterior side of said unitary elongate base and the slat on thesecond unitary elongate base member is a groove.
 15. The construction ofclaim 14, wherein said means for sealing said unitary elongate base is agasket between said flange and the seat of the second unitary elongatebase member.
 16. The construction of claim 11, wherein said attachmentflange is a substantially L-shaped flange adapted to mesh with a seat onthe second unitary elongate that is defined by a complementarysubstantially L-shaped flange.
 17. The construction of claim 16, whereinsaid means for sealing said unitary elongate base is a gasket betweensaid substantially L-shaped flange and the seat of the second unitaryelongate base.
 18. The construction of claim 11, wherein said unitaryelongate base includes a side, said construction further comprising:alip on said side; and fastening means adapted to secure said unitaryelongate base to said floor, said floor having a flange, said fasteningmeans oriented through said flange, said fastening means including anelongate member having a broadened head for placement of said lip ofsaid unitary elongate base thereunder and against said flange, saidfastening means also having a removable retainer to be braced againstsaid flange.
 19. A liquid-tight reciprocating floor constructioncomprising:a first slat having a side; a second slat having a side; afirst unitary base section having a side; a secondary unitary basesection having a side; bearing means between said respective sides ofsaid first slat and said first unitary base section, and said secondunitary base section, said bearings means for sliding of said first slatand said second slat relative to said first unitary base section andsaid second unitary base section respectively; attachment means forconnecting said side of said first unitary base section and said side ofsaid second unitary base section; and liquid seal means between saidfirst slat and said first unitary base section, and between said secondslat and said second unitary base section, said liquid seal meanspreventing liquid entering between said first slat and said bearingmeans and between said second slat and said bearings means from passingsaid attachment means.
 20. A modular unit of a liquid-tightreciprocating floor construction comprising:a slat having a side; aunitary base section having an exterior side, said unitary base sectionincluding means for attachment with another base section; bearing meansbetween said side of said slat and said side of said unitary basesection for sliding of said slat relative to said unitary base section;and liquid seal means adjacent said exterior side of said unitary basesection for preventing liquid entering between said slat and saidbearing means from passing said means for attachment of said unitarybase section with another base section and said exterior side of saidunitary elongate base section whereby said slat, said unitary basesection and said bearing means are adapted to be assembled into saidmodular unit prior to attachment of said unitary base section withanother base section.
 21. A liquid-tight reciprocating floorconstruction comprising:a first slat having a side; a second slat havinga side; a first unitary base section having an exterior side; asecondary unitary base section having an exterior side; bearing meansbetween said respective sides of said first slat and said first unitarybase section, and said second unitary base section, said bearings meansfor sliding of said first slat and said second slat relative to saidfirst unitary base section and said second unitary base sectionrespectively; attachment means for connecting said side of said firstunitary base section and said side of said second unitary base section;and liquid seal means adjacent said exterior side of one of said firstunitary base section and said exterior side of said second unitary basesection, said liquid seal means preventing liquid entering between saidfirst slat and said bearing means and between said second slat and saidbearings means from passing said attachment means and said exterior sideof said first unitary base section and said exterior side of said secondunitary base section.
 22. A modular unit of a liquid-tight reciprocatingfloor construction comprising:a slat having a side; a unitary basesection having an exterior side, said unitary base section includingmeans for attachment with another base section; bearing means betweensaid side of said slat and said side of said unitary base section forsliding of said slat relative to said unitary base section; and liquidseal means adjacent said bearing means for preventing liquid enteringbetween said slat and said bearing means from passing said means forattachment of said unitary base section with another base section andsaid exterior side of said unitary base section whereby said slat, saidunitary base section and said bearing means are adapted to be assembledinto said modular unit prior to attachment of said unitary base sectionwith another base section.
 23. A liquid-tight reciprocating floorconstruction comprising:a first slat having a side; a second slat havinga side; a first unitary base section having an exterior side; a secondunitary base section having an exterior side; bearing means between saidrespective sides of said first slat and said first unitary base section,and said second slat and said second unitary base section, said bearingsmeans for sliding of said first slat and said second slat relative tosaid first unitary base section and said second unitary base sectionrespectively; attachment means for connecting said side of said firstunitary base section and said side of said second unitary base section;and liquid seal means adjacent said bearing means, said liquid sealmeans preventing liquid entering between said first slat and saidbearing means and between said second slat and said bearings means frompassing said attachment means and said exterior side of said unitarybase section.
 24. A method of making a reciprocating floor constructioncomprising the steps of:securing bearing means onto a base sectionhaving an exterior side, said side having means for attachment toanother base section thereon; slidably mounting a slat onto said bearingmeans on only said base section to form a modular unit, said slatmounted on said exterior side of said base section and attaching aplurality of said modular units by engaging said means for attachment onsaid sides of said base sections.
 25. The method of claim 24 furthercomprising the step of:securing said plurality of attached modular unitsto a supporting floor having a flange without compromising thestructural integrity of said supporting floor and said base sections bybracing said base sections and said flange of said supporting floorbetween an elongate member having a broadened head and a retaineradjacent said elongate member.